video. un: hardsell

[oldhound]

[ John is in what looks to be a shop that's been abandoned for quite a while. There's a few bits of furniture with sheets over it. There's dust and cobwebs and the feed shakes as he accidentally bumps the table as he's trying to set it down. Once it is set up, he scrubs a hand over his face, through the bit of scruff at his jaw, and then around to rub at the back of his neck. He looks tired.

He istired but oddly energetic at the same time. ]

Right, not sure if any of you have been having trouble sleeping as well but I figured I may as well do this since I found the space for it. It's in Willful Machine, warding on the door glows amber. Easy to spot. I can still drop a location here in case.

I might be able to help with easing some of the bloodlust that seems to be cropping up. I've got incense and I'm working on some tinctures from those roses left behind for us. Smoke wands, too. Meditation seems to help. Yoga as well. I'm decent at both, don't mind showing anyone if they need it.

[ He reaches out for an old book covered with a dust cover and blows off the lingering film clinging before peeling that off. Any well-versed in the occult or magic might recognize the original grimoire of King Solomon. He's about to reach out with his free hand and turn off the feed when a thought suddenly occurs to him. ]

Oh, and I'd hate to go making such a terribly broad offer like I did back in the old town so to clarify: don't bother stopping in Maul. I wouldn't want the riff-raff to go showing up.

[ This is the smile on his face as he shuts the feed off. There's a location for the shop embedded in the message. ]

Comments

[oldhound]

[ If people were using it to keep others safe as they can, he doesn't mind offering any help he can. It wasn't like he didn't do investigating on his own when left to his own devices. He's been doing that longer now than anything else. ]

Ah, so that's what it takes to pique your interest.

[falsify]

You just haven't been trying.

[oldhound]

Say I was spoiled you just don't strike me as the post-death cuddle on the sofa type is all.

The book, though, is a very, very old grimoire.

[falsify]

[It takes him a second, brows pulled in confusion at the comment before he assumes John's talking about his twin back in Deerington and it hits him with a deeply unexpected (and frankly unwelcome) ache in his gut.]

[Best not think about that. So about that book--]

It looks familiar, but I can't place it.

[oldhound]

[ The look alone was worth it, even if John tries not to think about what might've happened with it all going under. Best try and move on. ]

It's the original grimoire of King Solomon, mate.

[falsify]

[yeah thanks John he's sad now]

[The book cheers him up a little though, eyes glittering in recognition and curiosity. He wants to touch it.]

No shit. The original?

[oldhound]

[ Join the club. Better yet, don't mention the joining. Just show up with a bottle and don't say why. It'll soothe loads of wounds.

His mouth turns up at one corner, delight obvious. ]

On my life.

[falsify]

[Bottles a'plenty. He can even mix up some real strong stuff now he has his magic back proper.]

And if I wanted to take a look...?

[oldhound]

[ Speaking to his miserable soul, are we? ]

I could be persuaded to open up a touch early.

[falsify]

[booze is what friends are made of]

What does it take to persuade a man like John Constantine?

[oldhound]

[ Only the best ones. He winks. ]

Ohh, now that'd be giving it up too easy, mate.

[falsify]

Oh, is that so?

[He licks his lips, giving that some consideration.]

Well I could do you my finest bottle of whisky that survived the trip from Deerington.

[oldhound]

Well, if that's the offer on the table then I'd have to say my door is open.

[falsify]

Now good?

[oldhound]

Come on then. Daylight's burning.

--> action

[falsify]

[The shop is easy to find, even without the location, the place absolutely reeks of magic that isn't the same as the blood that permeates the rest of Trench. Eames opens the door, steps in with a soft sigh and peers at the things on the shelves as he walks through the place to find John. He has a (very well-behaved) dog in tow, mostly sniffing up all these new scents as he follows closely behind Eames.]

[oldhound]

[ One might think a person would be grateful for that. John's no stranger to the scent and sights and all but even this is bordering on far too much. There's a few things here and there, some tucked away via display. He's managed to drag a few things with a sort of relocation spell but the whole shop? Still nothing.

He hears the bell go but he's in the process of trying to get a tangible hold on another bit of the old place. He's in a chalk circle, hands outstretched and palms up as he mutters softly to himself. There's a bit of wind that crops up out of nowhere but nothing is open. The wood floor and shelves creak.

When he senses that someone else has already arrived, he grudgingly lets go of the energy of the spell. He'll have to try again later. It isn't until the lights stop flickering and the wind goes that he comes over and scrubs out the protective barrier with the toe of one shoe. ]

Don't mind the light show. [ He cocks his head to the side at the dog following along with a grin. ] See you brought a little friend for the tour as well.

[falsify]

[Boxer is as respectful as a dog can be; cautious steps, doing his best not to bump anything with his snout. Partially nerves, mostly a combination of training and the experience of a dog who's definitely gotten too excited about things that smell funny before.]

[There's another person though. And Eames is talking to them? That means Boxer has to be involved. He bounds on over and plants himself on the floor between John and Eames, tail wagging furiously as he looks up at John with one of those big, doggy grins. How could anyone think rottweilers are scary when faced with this? The biggest danger is getting covered in slobber.]

He likes to meet new people.

[Eames is watching this shameless display from his dog with a raised eyebrow and a hint of a smile pulling at his mouth.]

And beside me and Arthur, somewhere with magic like this seemed as close to familiar as it's going to get for him.

[oldhound]

[ Boxer is a potent reminder of John's little hellspawn from back in Deerington. He hasn't been able to try and track her down around here. Hell, he isn't even sure if she made it this way. He hopes so.

That grin doesn't leave his face as he hunkers down, letting the dog smell his hand before going in to pet him. He looks up at Eames as he does. ]

Don't they all? More attention for them. What's his name?

[ Aaaand back to hogging all that attention. Still, John's listening to Eames as he continues. ]

He come from your home before all this?

[falsify]

[ Oh that is a prime face licking position and Boxer goes for it immediately, he's so excited about his new pal. He puts a paw on John's knee the second the opportunity presents itself so he can get the leverage to lean up and get right at that face. Hello friend. ]

He's called Boxer. [ Well, if this is gonna go on a while, Eames is going to lean against something and keep watch. ] Unfortunately for him he followed me from home to Deerington, and then to here.

[oldhound]

[ Oh, John's got himself into it now, hasn't he? He sputters then laughs as he tilts his face a bit out of range. That doesn't stop him from petting the dog though. ]

Hey, yeah. It's exciting to meet you too, Boxer. [ Once it is safe for him to talk without the danger of slobbery kisses he speaks again. ] Seems to be handling it well enough.

Had one gifted to me back in Deerington. [ Pause. ] Been trying to find her. She's making it a bit difficult on me but that's not really all that surprising.

[falsify]

[ Boxer keeps going for it, but he's luckily been trained (mostly by Arthur) that eventually he has to just give up on licking faces. That doesn't stop him from getting all in John's business, of course, though now it's mostly in the form of excited wriggling and shoving his face wherever there seems like space for it. ]

[ It is astounding to think this dog was timid and nervous when Eames got him honestly. ]

But you know she's here?

[ no offence but that sounds like wishful thinking. ]

No offence, but that sounds a little like wishful thinking.

[oldhound]

[ Eventually he does stop enough to give John a reprieve and he turns his face to wipe it on his sleeve. He knows better. There's a couple of solid pats to his side before he finally stands up and nods, shoving his hands back in his pockets. ]

Normally I'd be inclined to tell me the same thing.

[ No shame in admitting it. ]

Except I've seen her out there in the woods sneaking about and all. I charmed her collar back in Deerington before we all left on top and it's definitely pinging around these parts. Trouble is, she wants nothing to do with me. The only thing I can figure is it's been a lot longer for her being here on her own while we were all out there floating about in the ocean.